Friday, 22 May 2009

Losing My Virginity

Obviously I should have done it in Manchester, where Virgins come three times an hour. But I didn't. It was delayed and I had to wait ages. It was grubby. It was raining. The heating didn't work. And then it broke down and I woke up in the sidings. Another dream shattered.

Pat: I don't think I've been to Manchester... I've been undressed by kings and I've seen some things that a woman ain't supposed to seeI've been to paradise, but I've never been to Manchester.....Apologies, couldn't resist...

Fairyhedgehog: Yes, why aren't tunnels like that in reality, all all would take would be a bit of neon and a pink feather boa.

Mr Marks: I used to like trains. They were a good excuse not to go to work. Happy days.

Kaz: Good grief! An anytime single from Euston London to Manchester Piccadilly cost £123.50!!! A next day return is £247.00... an off-peak single is £65.10... I'd want a fluffy tunnel and butler service for that price...

Emmak: Thank you! I think there are a few blogs that I can't get into now... Old Knuddy and Mr Mutts. I have been advised to download Firefox.I think I will have to do a Northern tour, because I've never been to Manchester or Liverpool. I doubt I'll be going by train but if I go by car I will end up in Cornwall. I like Cornwall.Sx

No, I'm not made of money. I went to Manchester on expenses [ed: oh no you didn't, you went on a train, remember?] when I was researching my book, about 8 years ago, because a lot of original documents I needed to see are held in the John Rylands Library in Manchester.

This advert's utter bollocks: yeah, like they ever show train times on the destination board at Euston; and they have an on-train shop that doesn't close before it gets past Mornington Crescent; and the train doesn't stop at Hemel Hempstead so that you can all decamp onto a bus to Stafford. Otherwise it's just like real life.

the politicians keep talking about a high speed rails here in georgia. it costs more to fly up (45 minute flight) to atlanta (4 hrs via car) than it does to fly across the entire damn country to the west coast! ridiculously insane *sigh* xoxox

I met Richard Barnson once. He was on the same Virgin flight as me to NY. He made a point of holding everyone up when we landed so he could shake hands with everyone getting off the plane. When he got to me I said, "Nice planes, shame about the trains". He dropped his hand and his smile and looked straight past me.

Mr Maps: I've never been to Ireland, but I will one day, it's on my list.I've heard that the followers gadget was interferring with IE, and it's also a known blogger problem... but I've done the Firefox thing now because I've had this problem before.

Mr Wolfy: There is also lots of empty space in my head...! I do wonder if Sir Richard has plans...?

Savvy: It's cheaper for me to fly to Cornwall than go by train to Manchester... I have been doing my research... I didn't even know that I could fly to Cornwall until yesterday... I'm going to do it...

Chris: Ugh! I think I'd prefer the train too... perhaps the Orient Express would be more up my alley.

Ms Project: I have downloaded Firefox! IE asks so many damn silly questions, it's like having to fill in a long winded form on every click.

Jekandhyd: I know that look! I've worked with many men who were masters of that look... I think they practiced on me.

Pete: It's a sad and woeful story. Quite funny in a way...Live and learn. Pink Floyd were playing in the background... good grief...

I was in oration when I learn the horrible new one... I jump... I fly... I rush to support you, Madam, in the painful test of life, it is necessary to be kind with the women; even with hers. ..Surtout if she is virgin!!

Oh Scarls...that brings memories flooding back. 1984, and going by train from London to Manchester to see my boyfriend who had just started at the Poly. Mind you, there weren't any virgins involved then. He subsequently dumped me on New Years Eve. I ended up at the same seat of learning two years later, and used to see him selling the Socialist Worker outside the Union building (which was called Mandela, although I have a feeling it might have been named for Winnie). Anyway, i'm sure his parents were proud that all the money they spent on his education at one of the country's top private school hadn't been wasted ;-)